Clothing and fabric storage device

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides, among other things, a clothing and fabric storage container including a heat exchanger operable to reduce the temperature of clothing and fabric located in an interior of the container in order to reduce or eliminate odor causing bacteria from the clothing and fabric. In some embodiments, the container includes a controller. In some such embodiments, the controller operates the heat exchanger to reduce an interior container temperature and to maintain the temperature of the interior of the container below a pre-determined temperature. In some embodiments, the clothing storage device generates cold air inside of the clothing storage device with at least one cooling mechanism that is powered by an electrical cord and plug that is plugged into an electrical wall socket. The clothing storage device is designed to cool the clothing while the clothing is inside the clothing storage device.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention refrencing application Ser. No. 62297532 relates generally to clothing and fabric cleaning and storage. More specifically, the present invention provides a container operable to reduce or eliminate bacteria from clothing or other fabrics.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention provides, among other things, a clothing and fabric storage container including a heat exchanger operable to reduce the temperature of clothing and fabric located in an interior of the container in order to reduce or eliminate odor causing bacteria from the clothing and fabric. In some embodiments, the container includes a controller. In some such embodiments, the controller operates the heat exchanger to reduce an interior container temperature and to maintain the temperature of the interior of the container below a pre-determined temperature.

In some embodiments, the clothing storage device generates cold air inside of the clothing storage device with at least one cooling mechanism that is powered by an electrical cord and plug that is plugged into an electrical wall socket. The clothing storage device is designed to cool the clothing while the clothing is inside the clothing storage device. In some embodiments, the device can be utilized for any clothing or fabric item including: shirts, shorts, pants, hats, gloves, socks, shoes, etc.

In some embodiments, the heat exchanger of the present invention is electrically powered. In some such embodiments, the controller or the heat exchanger receives electrical power from batteries.

Some embodiments of the invention include an exterior shell, an interior shell and insulation housed between the exterior shell and the interior shell in order to retain the cooled air that is generated by the cooling mechanism. Charcoal can be embedded in the insulation in order to reduce odors while the clothing is inside the clothing storage device. A noise reduction lining can be positioned between the exterior shell and the interior shell. A lid can be rotatably coupled to the exterior shell to allow the user to open, close, and access the interior of the clothing storage device.

In some embodiments, removable devices, such as fasteners or hanging rods, can be positioned inside the clothing storage device to hang clothing inside the clothing storage device. A removable bag can be coupled to the fasteners or hanging rods to contain the clothing while the clothing is inside the clothing storage device.

In some embodiments, a cooling unit, such as cooling plates, can be utilized to reduce the temperature inside the clothing storage unit below a desired temperature. A control panel can allow the user to vary the temperature within the clothing storage device, turn the device on or off manually, and or to set a timer to turn the device on or off automatically. The cooling unit can include cooling fans to help reduce the temperature of the cooling plates. A noise reduction lining can extend around the cooling unit. Rubber seals and flanges can be included to retain the cool air inside the clothing storage device.

In some embodiments, a rotation device, such as a rotating drum or stirring rod, can be positioned within the interior shell of the clothing storage device to rotate within the clothing storage device.

In some embodiments, a circuit board and microprocessor can be linked to the control panel, with integrated software, which enable the user to vary the temperature inside the clothing storage device and to program the clothing storage device to turn on and off automatically and to enter the clothing storage device into timed freezing cycles. A power supply, relay, Arduino hardware, and power cord can be used to power the cooling device mechanisms, control panel, circuit board, microprocessor and cooling fans.

Some embodiments of the present invention include a clothing storage device that reduces the temperature inside the clothing storage device below a set temperature. The device includes an exterior shell, an interior shell, insulation with embedded charcoal positioned between the exterior and interior shell, noise reduction lining positioned between the exterior and interior of the clothing storage device and a top coupled to the clothing storage device. A cooling mechanism can include cooling plates, and a noise reduction lining positioned around the cooling plates.

One or more hangers, such as protrusions, rods, hooks and the like can be positioned inside the clothing storage device to hang clothes from while the clothing is inside the storage device. A removable bag can be coupled to the hangers to support a bag that houses the clothing inside the storage device. A rotating drum and/or stir rod can be positioned within the interior shell of the clothing storage device to rotate or stir the clothing in the storage device.

A control panel, a circuit panel, a micro-processor with integrated software can be integrated into the clothing storage device. A user can control the cooling mechanism by varying the temperatures of the interior of the clothing storage device, manually turning the cooling mechanism off and on, and or setting the cooling mechanism on a timer in order to turn off or on.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1.0 is a perspective view, showing the container according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 1.1 is a perspective view, showing the lid of the container according to some embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 2.0 is an exploded perspective view, showing the exterior shell separated from the interior shell.

FIG. 2.1 is an exploded perspective view, showing the exterior lid shell separated from the interior lid shell.

FIG. 3.0 is a schematic view, showing the separate components according to some embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 4.0 is a schematic view, showing the interior of the container according to some embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 5.0 is a schematic view, showing the interior of the container according to some embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 6.0 is a schematic view, showing the interior of the container according to some embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 7.0 is a schematic view, showing the interior of the container according to some embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 8.0 is an exploded perspective view, according to some embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 9.0 is a cross-sectional view according to some embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 10.0 is a cross-sectional view according to some embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 11.0 is a cross-sectional view according to some embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 12.0 is a perspective view, showing the circuit board according to some embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 13.0 is a schematic view, showing the exterior lid according to some embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 14.0 is a perspective view according to some embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 15.0 is a perspective view according to some embodiments of the invention.

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN THE DRAWINGS

10. Exterior shell

11. Interior shell

12. Insulation with embedded charcoal

13. Noise reduction film tape

14. Exterior lid shell

15. Lid insulation with embedded charcoal

16. Interior lid shell

17. Removable hanging devices

18. Removable mesh netting bag

19. Removable bag/sack

20. Cooling plates

21. Cooling devices

22. Control panel

23. Stir rod

24. Electrical cord and plug

25. Hinge

26. Base

27. Handle

28. Cooling fan

29. Power supply

30. Relay

31. Arduino hardware

32. Cover flange

33. Base flange

34. Seal

35. Circuit board

36. Microprocessor

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1.0 is a perspective view of the present invention in an assembled state. Insulation and embedded charcoal 12 are housed between exterior shell 10 and interior shell 11. The inside of the cooling storage device is accessible through the lid 15 mounted to the top. The illustrated integrated cooling device mechanism 21 and cooling plates 20 are mounted inside the clothing storage device at the top and bottom in order to cool the inside of the clothing storage unit. The electrical cord and plug 24 are inserted into an electrical outlet to power the cooling device. The illustrated control panel 22 is located on the exterior of the clothing storage device, which allows the user to manually turn the device on and off, automatically turn the device on and off, and adjust the temperature inside the clothing storage device.

FIG. 1.1 is a perspective view of the lid 15 of the present invention. The illustrated control panel 22 is located on the top of the exterior part of the lid 15. The control panel 22 can have digital functionality.

FIG. 2.0 is an exploded perspective view of the exterior shell 10 separated from the interior shell 11. Insulation with embedded carbon 12 can be housed between exterior shell 10 and interior shell 11 in order to help retain the cool air within the clothing storage device. The illustrated insulation 12 contains charcoal to reduce odor wafting from inside the clothing storage device. A hinge 25 can secure the lid to the exterior shell 10.

FIG. 2.1 is an exploded perspective view of the exterior lid shell 14 separated from both the lid insulation 15 and interior lid shell 16. Lid insulation 15 helps retain the cool air within the clothing storage device. The illustrated lid insulation 15 also contains charcoal to reduce odor wafting from inside the clothing storage device.

FIG. 3.0 is a schematic view of the separate exterior components of the invention. The illustrated lid 14 is located at the top of the storage clothing device, which allows the user to access the interior of the clothing storage device. The illustrated control panel 22 is located on top of the lid 14 in order for the user to manually turn off and on, automatically turn off and on, and to adjust the temperature inside the clothing storage device. The electrical cord and plug 24 are connectable to an electrical outlet to power the cooling device 21, which cools the inside of the clothing storage device. The illustrated exterior shell 10 establishes the perimeter of the clothing storage device.

FIG. 4.0 is a schematic view of the interior of the clothing storage device. The illustrated cooling plates 20 and cooling devices 21 are integrated at the top and bottom of the interior of the clothing storage device. The illustrated embodiment includes a stir rod 23 that is integrated into the clothing storage device to assist in rotating the clothing while it is stowed inside the clothing storage device. Removable hanging devices 17 can also be integrated inside the clothing storage device in order to hang or drape clothing.

FIG. 5.0 is a schematic view of the interior of the clothing storage device. Noise reduction film 13 can be integrated around the inside lid shell 15, around the interior shell 11, and at the bottom of the clothing storage device. Noise reduction film 13 can also be integrated around the cooling plates 20 and cooling devices 21. A removable mesh bag(s) 18 can line the interior of the clothing storage device to enable the user to remove and transport clothing that is inside the clothing storage device.

FIG. 6.0 is a schematic view of the interior of the clothing storage device. In the illustrated embodiment, a removable bag 19 lines the interior shell 15 of the clothing storage device to enable the user to remove and transport clothing that is inside the clothing storage device.

FIG. 7.0 is a schematic view of the inside lid shell 15 of the clothing storage device. In the illustrated embodiment, cooling plates 20 and cooling device mechanisms 21 are integrated into the interior lid shell 15 and at the bottom of the interior shell 11. The illustrated cooling plates 20 and cooling device mechanism 21 generate cool air in order to cool the inside of the clothing storage unit.

FIG. 8.0 is an exploded perspective view showing the components of the device according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 9.0 is a cross-sectional view of components of the device according to some embodiments of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, a power supply 29 is integrated into the bottom base of the clothing storage device.

FIG. 10.0 is a cross-sectional view of components of the device according to some embodiments of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, cooling plates 20 and cooling device mechanisms 21 are integrated into the interior lid shell 15 and at the bottom of the interior shell 11. The illustrated cooling plates 20 and cooling device mechanism 21 generate cool air in order to cool the inside of the clothing storage unit. A power supply 29, relay 30, and arduino 31 can be integrated into the bottom base 26 of the clothing storage device. A circuit board 35 and microprocessor 36 can be integrated in between the exterior lid shell 14 and the interior lid shell 16. A control panel 22 can be integrated into the exterior lid shell 14 or handle 27.

FIG. 11.0 is a cross-sectional view of components of the device according to some embodiments of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, a cooling fan 28 is integrated into the exterior lid shell 14. A control panel can be integrated into either the exterior lid shell 14 or handle 27. A cooling plate 20 and cooling devices 21 can be integrated between the exterior lid shell 14 and the interior lid shell 16 below the cooling fan 28.

FIG. 12.0 is a perspective view, showing the circuit board and microprocessor according to some embodiments of the present invention. The illustrated circuit board and micro-processor are positioned outside of the lid. A circuit board 35 and microprocessor 36 can be integrated between the exterior lid shell 14 and the interior lid shell 16. A control panel 22 can be linked to the circuit board 35 and micro-processor 36. The control panel 22 can be integrated into the exterior lid shell 14 or the handle 27. A cooling fan 28 can be integrated into the exterior lid shell 14.

FIG. 13.0 is a schematic view, showing the exterior lid according to some embodiments of the present invention. A control panel 22 can be integrated into the exterior lid shell 14 or the handle 27. A cooling fan 28 can be integrated into the exterior lid shell 14 or handle 27.

FIG. 14.0 is a perspective view of the container according to some embodiments of the present invention with the top in an open position.

FIG. 15.0 is a perspective view of the container according to some embodiments of the present invention with the top in a closed position. 

1. A clothing and fabric storage container including a heat exchanger operable that when executed, perform the step of: Reducing the temperature of the clothing and fabric located in an interior of the container; Maintaining the temperature of the interior container below a pre-determined temperature. 